Ford EcoSport sets new standards

A small engine - but you wouldn't think so.

Top of its list of credentials is the fact that it is based on the underpinnings of the fun to drive Fiesta and is pushed along by the same much-lauded 1-litre EcoBoost engine that has won the coveted title of International Engine of the Year for the last two years running.

Off-road capable to quite a degree

A strong feature of the EcoSport is that it is both spacious and practical in spite of its compact appearance. What's more, it delivers a comfortable sedan-like ride on the black stuff and can cope with fairly rough off-road terrain thanks to 220mm grand clearance, a 25º approach angle and a 35º departure angle, plus it can make its way through water of up to 550mm deep.

The new EcoSport range offers a choice of eight colours, three engine choices, and three specification levels at prices varying from R199,000 to R249,000. All the models have impressive standard kit such as a voice-activated in-car connectivity system that allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel while choosing their favourite music and making phone calls using voice commands.

There's a great sound system.

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The cabin has 20 practical storage spaces, including a glove box that can keep up to six beverage cans cool. The rear seats can be folded down for additional cargo space and with the rear seats tumbled against the front seats, the boot space increases to 705 litres, big enough to accommodate a washing machine. Alternatively the rear seats can be split 60:40 to transport long objects while still carrying passengers at the back.

Good to go - on just three cylinders

I drove the cute new EcoSport during the media launch in KZN recently and found it really appealing. On my first stretch at the wheel I drove the 1-litre EcoBoost model Titanium manual version and enjoyed it as much as when I drove the Fiesta with the same engine when it was launched a few months ago.

The engine is surprisingly nippy, considering its size, particularly when its turbo-charged three-cylinder engine is prodded to 6,000rpm at which it churns out 92kW quite effortlessly. With just 1,400rpm showing it will produce 170Nm and while performance figures were not available at the media introduction, it felt peppy enough for a brisk ride even with five on board.

Overall finish and looks are classy.

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The five-speed manual transmission is smooth and slots up and down quickly and surely. On the road the EcoSport feels very similar to the Fiesta with steering responsive enough to evade most of the numerous pot-holes that scar the tar in the rural stretches of KZN.

Although the cabin is well insulated we could still hear the gentle grrrr from the engine which I quite liked. In spite of its chubby appearance and high-riding stance the EcoSport handles confidently with minimum body lean, even when pushed fairly hard along twisty sections.

Now hear this!

Our test vehicle was kitted out with leather seats, steering mounted audio controls linked to six speakers (and yes, the sound quality is seriously good), cruise control, rain sensing wipers, fully adjustable steering, auto dimming rear view mirror and auto headlights.

There's 705 litres of load capacity.

On the safety front it has a host of airbags, SBS brakes with electronic stability control, traction control, ISOFIX child seat anchors, a high-mounted rear brake light, and follow-me-home lights.

The cabin is roomy enough to seat four adults with ease and five over shorter distances. Overall finish and looks are classy and we particularly liked the soft-touch fabrics, the global Ice Blue dashboard illumination, the sensible placing of switches and dials, and the driver's high-ride seating position.

Another pat on the roof of the EcoSport is its sip-sip fuel usage with Ford claiming 5.7-litres/100km in the combined cycle (bear in mind this is achieved in perfect test conditions and not easily achievable on the road).

Ruff Rider

In terms of looks the EcoSport is like a Jack Russell in the company of other SUV's and to add to its cockiness it cruises on attractive alloys (not always a good idea for anybody planning regular stints of bush driving, but cool parked outside the local coffee joint), toughy silver roof rails, and a spare wheel stuck on the back of the sideways opening tail-gate a la Daihatsu Terios (probably its closest direct rival).

It delivers a comfortable sedan-like ride on the black stuff and can cope with fairly rough off-road terrain.

After my spell at the wheel of the small-engined model I took a whirl in the 1.5l TDCi intercooled and turbocharged diesel 1.5 Trend which offers an equally smooth ride and good finish and although I prefer the 1-litre version, the bigger diesel galloped along quite merrily. It kicks out 66kW at 3,750rpm backed by strong torque punch of 205Nm from 2,000rpm upwards, although our model did suffer from a little turbo lag.

In short... well worth checking out

It also comes with 5-speed manual shift as standard, like the rest of the clan, with the exception of the 1.5-litre Petrol Titanium which utilises the six-speed Ford PowerShift transmission. Engine sounds are not at all intrusive, thanks to excellent cabin insulation.

So, to summarise: a good-looking package, well-kitted out, spacious, frugal, equally at home in the dirt or on the tarmac, well priced and an excellent alternative to a sedan or hatchback. The EcoSport is also particularly pleasant to drive in congested city conditions where its compact sub-four metre dimensions and the electric power-assisted steering makes it easy to squeeze into small spaces and manoeuvre in heavy traffic.

It certainly sets new standards for any compact SUV and it has the class, looks and abilities to appeal to a wide audience, particularly if you factor in its price-inclusive four-year/120,000km warranty, four-year/60,000km service plan and three-year Roadside Assistance.

The models and prices are:

EcoSport 1.5 TiVCT Ambiente Manual - R199,000
EcoSport 1.0 GTDi Trend Manual - R224,000
EcoSport 1.5 TDCi Trend Manual - R229,000
EcoSport 1.0 GTDi Titanium Manual - R244,000
EcoSport 1.5 TiVCT Titanium Powershift - R244,000
EcoSport 1.5 TDCi Titanium Manual - R249,000

Specifications

Ford EcoSport EcoBoost (petrol) First Drive Review by OnCars India

Ford EcoSport | Comprehensive Review | Autocar India

Overdrive: Ford launches SUV EcoSport in India